Q & A Time!

While Running From Herself hasn't produced much in the way of sales, it's had a good run of free downloads (thanks to FreeBooksy) and Kindle Unlimited reads (thanks to...?) Since I, of course, list my author website in the back matter of my books, some questions about the novel have begun to trickle in. I love it! I've been collecting them, and I finally have enough to share here. 

"I don't understand how Mick let Leah go so easily when they got back to Nashville. Why didn't he fight for their relationship?"

Ahh, well, Mick, while a professional musician, didn't travel in the same circles that Leah did (or he believed, would), and after playing together on their mini-tour, he knew that her star was ascendant. Mick was truly in love with Leah by that time, but he didn't want to hold her back, or worse, settle into a relationship with her that he worried she would outgrow over time.

"Leah could be so aggravating! She put up with way too much! Sometimes I wanted her to really let someone have it!"

When Leah's flight touched down in Nashville, she was completely lost. Singing in a bar band was no preparation for suddenly becoming an artist under contract with a major record label. She knew no one in the city, and thus had nobody to lean on for advice, so whatever the label told her to do, she did. Leah assumed this was "just what you do" to establish a career. And she didn't want to earn the label, "problem artist".

As you know, she did fight back on issues that were crucial to her. But she had to tiptoe her way through them--stand up for herself without alienating the people at Silver Sounds.  

"My favorite character is Paula Barnes. Not a question. I just wanted you to know that."

Paula Barnes is my favorite character, too! I'm so glad you like her. I think she's a hoot. She could be frustrating to Leah at times, because her down-home advice was often stuffed with colloquialisms--most of which I made up, by the way (they're not true Southern sayings, as far as I know). I also enjoyed her "take no prisoners" attitude, which was such a contrast to Leah. I also love her kindness and generosity, mixed with a huge helping of quirkiness.

Fun Fact: Paula was never meant to be a major character in the story. When Leah showed up as a last-minute slot-in at the Big Blast and no one had arranged for a backup band, somebody had to step in, and that's when I decided that a star would "lend her" their band. When Leah went backstage to thank Paula afterward and once Paula started talking, I knew she was going to be a keeper.

"Are you planning to write a sequel?"

I've been asked this a few times, and I'm toying with the idea, but I think I would focus on another character besides Leah. Any suggestions?